Times reporters blog about high school sports across the Southland

Boys' basketball: A national tournament that really isn't

ESPN RISE is holding its second National High School Invitational in basketball April 1-3 at Coppin State in Baltimore, but how it can be called a national invitational is baffling.

The eight schools chosen include prep schools, led by Las Vegas Findlay Prep, and yes, Florida has given approval for its schools to participate, but it remains a phony event that the organizers apparently hope one day will catch on and get other states to participate.

But why should other states get involved when the so-called prep schools have players who are 19 and 20 years old? They shouldn't.

Add to that, they've upset the Catholics. Newark (N.J.) St. Benedict's has pulled out because it can't play on Good Friday.